Latching and locking mechanism for locker doors and the like



March 3, 1959 J. E. FoHN 2,875,604

LATCHING AND LOCKING MECHNISM FOR LOCKER DOORS AND THE LIKE Filed April s, -1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 4 0 6, 5 7 2 R O F M ML H CE .0mm `FI A KS EWR .Lw .JDD mm rK., mw ML C T A L 9 5 9 .1 o 3 1h.. n m

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 8, 1955 INVENTOR. ETR/272,

Jac/L March 3, 1959 J; E, FOHN LATCHING AND LOCKING MECHANISM FOR LOCKER DOORS AND THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 'Filed April 8, 1955 INVENTOR. Jac/ 7J/277272, BY 3m A l J. E. FOHN March 3, 1959 2,875,604 LATCHING AND LOCKING MECHANISM FOR Filed April e, 1955 A LOCKER DOORS AND lTHE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 R m m w.

LATCHING AND LOCKING MECHANISM FOR LOCKER DORS AND IHE LIKE Jack E. Fohn, Aurora, Ill., assignor to Aurora Steel Products Company, Aurora, Ill., a corporation of illinois Application April s, 19ss,ser'ia1N0. 500,099

` 9 Claims. (Cl. 70-80) The present invention relates to latching and locking mechanism for the doors of steel lockers, cabinets and the like.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide latching mechanism wherein the latches are released by an improved finger tip lifter that is recessed into the front surface of the door.V This results in the door having a ush front, with no projecting handle or other fixed projections. Hence, there is a condensation of space in shippingmore doors can be nested together in a smaller space, with less likelihood of damage from breakage or scratching. l

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved locking mechanism which can be readily converted from a padlock type of locking mechanism to a bolt type of locking mechanism in a more compact manner than heretofore, with fewer parts, and with less labor.

Another object is to provide improved escutcheon plate means so constructed as to receive the loop for the padlock type of lock, or to receive the bolt type of lock; and also so constructed as to define the front of the finger tip lifter recess to the door in which the finger tip lifter operates.

Another object is to provide improved escutcheon plate means comprising a front cover plate and locker number plate, according to which the number plate can be placed below the finger tip lifter recess when using one type of lock, and can be placed above the linger tip lifter recess when using the other type of lock. This combination of cover plate and number plate enables the same front cover plate and the same number plate to be used with 'either type of lock. It also avoids the necessity of' a separate location for the number plate, and the necessity of separate means for fastening the number plate to the front of the locker. It also conceals the padlock loop from view when not needed, and eliminates any sign of provision for a bolt lock or flat key lock when it is not used. Still further, the improved front cover plate acts as a strike plate for the padlock when the latter is used, and prevents the padlock from striking and scraping against the painted surface of the door front.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved locking mechanism of the above general description which permits pre-locking, i. e., in which the lock mechanism Amay be locked while the door is in open position, and

the door may thereafter be moved to a closed, locked position, without manually actuating the latching bar nor the finger tip lifter.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved construction of latches, wherein the latches are constructed entirely of wire.

Another object of the invention is to provide a latching and locking mechanism of the above general description which will be very inexpensive to manufacture and assemble, so as to occupy a favorable position in a highly competitive market.

Other objects, features and advantages of the inverttion will be apparent from the following detail description'of two preferred embodiments of the invention. In. the accompanying drawings illustrating such embodi-4 ments:

Figures l and 2 are perspective views of a locker emj bodying my invention;

Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the escutcheon plate portion of the latching and locking mechanism;

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the plane of the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on thel Figure l0 is an elevational view of the locker number Figure 1l is a view similar to Figure 3 the locker number plate rearranged for a lock;

but showing bolt type of Figure 12 is a vertical sectional View taken on the plane of the line 12-12 of Figure l1;

Figure 13 is an inner or back view showing the mounting of the bolt type of lock;

Figures 14 and 15 are front elevational views of a` modified construction, illustrating the alternate arrangement for a padlock and for a bolt type of lock;

Figure 16 is an inner or back view showing the mounting of the bolt type of lock;

Figure 17 is a fragmentary rear view of the modified ooverplate; and

Figure 18 is an elevational view of the modified locker number plate. r

Referring first to Figures l and 2 which show the general construction of a typical steel locker embodying my invention, this locker, designated 20, comprises the usual side walls 21, 21, tom walls 23, 23. The front opening 24 is defined by side angle bars 26 and 27, defining the jarnbs of the opening, and by upper and lower channel bars 1S and 19 which are welded to the jamb angle bars. The opening 24 is adapted to be closed by a door 25 which is connected by hinges 30 to the hinge side bar 27. The other prises a front marginal flange 28 and a rearwardly extending reenforcing flange 29. This latter latching bai" 26 has secured thereto a plurality of vertically spaced keepers 40. As shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6, each keeper 40 is in the form of a stamping comprising an attaching flange 42 from which extends a rearwardly bent flange 43, a laterally bent flange 44, and a forwardly bent flange 445. The attaching flange 42 has riveted attach ment to the inner side of the front marginal flange 28 of the locking angle bar 26. The forwardly extending flange 45 of each keeper 40 lies substantially in the plane of the door opening, and has a sloping nose portion 46 leading up to a vertical keeper notch 47. Cemented or vulcanized to the front face of the laterally bent flange 44 is a rubber cushioning pad 48 which is adapted to be engaged by the inner flange 52 the door.

Referring now to this latching edge of the door, it

will be seen from Figure 4 that the sheet which conthe door panel, `define a vertical channel-shapedtroughg.

Patented Mar. 3, e

back view of the latching andA back Wall 22, and top and bot-' at the latching edge of .1

and is then bent laterally to form an inner @wmode '53 `in which slides the vertically moving latching. bar

necting 4web portion 57. The latching bar '55 is dis-' posed inthe channel `shaped trough 53. with the web. portion 57 in sliding engagement with the inner `flange 52 of the door.

Punched out in this inner flange 52 of the door and in the web portion 57 of the latching bar 55 are match'- ing slots 58 and' 59 which are located at the heights of the keepers 40 so as to permit the keeper prongs' 45 to enter the latch bar 55 on the door whenthe door is swung to closed position. There are preferably three `vertically spaced keepers 4t) andv three sets of matching slots 58-and 59 for receiving these keepers, located at upper, inter mediate and lower portions `of the door respectively.

Referring to Figures 7-9, it will bov'seen, that extend ingA across the channel space between the two parallel anges 56, 56 are pivot pins 64, and pivotally lmountedY on these pinsr 64 are latches 65. Each latchv is made up of a section of round wire shaped into the form of twol aligned coils 66, 66' having their adjacent ends joined together by a stirrup or U-shaped portion 68. The two aligned coils 66, 66 are mounted for free rotative movement upon the transverse pivot pin 64. The cross bar portion 70 of the stirrup shape 68y functions as the detent or latching element. The stirrup shape'y 68 and cross bar portion 70 are normally held in their substantially horizontal latching position by a resiilent extension or tail 72 constituting one end of the section of wire. This tail end extends from the outer end of the coil 66' in a downward direction to play in the space between the panell of door 25 and the web portion 57 of the latching bar 55.A The weight of the stirrup shape 68 and cross bar portion 70 normally tends to hold the latch with the tail: extension 72 contacting the panelof the door 25, or hanging pendant in proximity thereto. The cross bar portion 70 is adapted to ride up the inclined nose 46 and to snap over the point of the vertical notch 57 of the associated keeper and rest at the bottom of the notch, with the tail 72 of the latch resting against web portion 57, but not under tension. These wire latches 65 are given a spring temper to make them resilient. The latching bar 55 does nothaveto move upward either during normal closing or prelocked closing, as the latches 65 can move into latchingv engagement with the keepers 46 independently of movement of the latching bar S. The latches are only under tension when their extension tails 72 are pressing against the web portion 57 of the latching channel 55, and this only occurs during the last part of the upward ride of the portion 70 up the slope 46 of the keeper. The extension tails 72 serve to prevent the latches 65 from being gravitationally'released by inversion, and thus prevent' the locking mechanism from becoming released byI a'burglar orother unauthorized person invertingthe entirezlocker into an upside down position.

Asshown in. Figures'4 and 6, the latching bar` 55 is adapted `to be lifted to'an unlatching position by a horizontally` extending actuating rod 74 which extendslaterally from an intermediate point of the latching bar. This actuating rod 74 is preferably mounted in aligned latch .releasing operation the tips of the. fingers arein serted into the recess 76 and engaged with the lifting surface 80, through which an upwardly lifting pressure is transmitted to the actuating rod 74. This upward lifting force slides the latching bar upwardly and carries the cross bar portions 70 of the latches out of the notches 47 in the keepers 40, thereby freeingv the door for swinging movement into opening position.

holes formed in the fianges 56, 56 of the latching bar 55, the rod or pin being headedv over on the outer side ofthe fiange' 56. Pivotally mounted on said actuating, rod 74 isa finger tip lifter 75 (Figure 5) which lies directly behind a finger tip recess or opening 76 ofrectangular'outline, punched out of the door. This linger tip lifterieomprises aplate 77 having two pivot ears' 78bent rearwardly from the sides of the plate, these ears being provided with pivot'apertures 79 which have pivotal mountingupon the.- actuating rodj '74. Projecting in. wardlyffrom theelowerredgeeof "the'platejsxa finger tip flangezv 80 of VshapedVv cross section `whichlaffords` anl engaging' surface adapted to be engaged by the finger .tipsv inrtliesact of. releasing*l the-latchingmechanism. In thisv Formed in the panel of the door (Figures 3 and 5) are upper and lower or first and second openings'81 and 82. The upper or first opening 81 is above:A the finger tip recess 76 for receiving the padlock loop, and the lowerl or second opening 82 is belowthe linger tip recess 76 for receiving the lock barrel of the bolt type of lock. Referring to Figure 5, it will be seen that anchored to the upper portion of lifter plate 77 and projecting forwardly therefrom is a padlock receiving loop 83. Thisr loop isV adapted to be projected outwardly through the` aforesaidl firstA opening 81, which may be in When the loop 83 is thus projected outwardly through the slot 81, upward movement of the finger ti'p lifting plate 77 and of the actuating rod 74l is precluded, with the'result thatv the latching bar 55 is locked inv its lower' door-locking'position'. It will be' observed from Figure`5 that the finger tip engaging surfacel is` located below and slightly in front of the axis of pivotal mounting `of the lifter 75 on actuating rod 74. By virtue of this location, upward finger pressure on the engaging surface 80 tends to rock the plate 77 in a rearward direction to retract `the padlock receiving loop 83 out of the lslot 81., In addition to the upward liftingy force exerted through` the linger tips, a forward pulling force is. also applied for the purposeof opening the door, and this forward pulling force acting through the lifting surface 80 establishes `a further force for pivoting the padlock receiving` loop 83 rearwardly into releasing position, clear of the slot 81 in the door, in which` released position the latching bar 55V moves upwardly under the lifting forcev for releasing the three latches 65 from their keepers' 40.

Referring to Figures 4 to 6, a housing 85 is mounted to enclose the back side of the finger tip recess 76 and of the nger tip lifterv 75. This housing comprises a plate yportion 86 spaced rearwardly from the inner side of the door to provide a finger tip space 87 therebetween.

The housing is closed on three sides by a forwardly extending side flange 88 and by forwardly extending end flanges 89 and' 90", and is open on the. fourth side ad-V jacent to the latching bar 55. The actuating rod 74 4enters `the housing 85 through thisv open side and ex-` tends through to the opposite side where it has guided engagement in a slot 91 punched out in the side iiange 88. The end flanges 89 and 90 of the housing have apertured attaching lianges 94. which are secured to the inner side, of the door by first and second bolts 95' and 95" which'passj through holes 96 in the door and receive nuts 97 on their inner ends. These bolts have smooth outer heads so that they can not be surreptitiously removedT from the front ofthe door. ing motiony of the lifter plate 77, in response to liftingtand opening pressure exerted on the lifting surface 80, is

limited bythe back'edge of the plate striking the. inner.

surfaceofthe housing 85, in which position. the padlock;

receiving loop 8.3 isclear of the slot 81but .whereinithc -plate77 and padlock receiving loop 8?v are` still`gravita-z tionally biased in a forward direction, so that. when lifting pressure is'removed from the lifting surface 80 The inward swing.-

the padlock receiving loop 83 immediately tends to fall back out through the slot 81.

Adapted for mounting on the inner side of the door immediately below the housing 85 is a bolt type or flat key type of lock 98, shown in Figures 1l to 13. This lock comprises a housing 99 having apertured ears 101 which are secured to the inner side of the door by the aforementioned second bolt 9,5', and by a third bolt 95" also passing through a hole 96 in the door. This lock has a key receiving barrel portion 102 which projects forwardly through the aforesaid second opening 82 which is provided in the door at a point below the finger tip recess 76. Adapted for lateral projection from the lock housing 99 is a locking bolt 106. When this bolt is projected laterally from the lock housing, it is adapted to enter a slot 108 which is punched out in the flange 56 of the latching bar 55. When thus projected into the slot 108, the latching. bar 5S is positively locked in its lower locking position, with the latches 65 held in the keeper notches 47, thereby positively locking the door 25 in closed position.

Mounted on the front side of the door is escutcheon plate means 109 which is adapted to optionally cover either the first opening 81 or the second lopening 82, depending upon whether the bolt type of lock or the padlock is intended to be used. This escutcheon plate means comprises a combination cover plate 110 and locker number plate 111, the latter being shown inV Figure 10. The cover plate 110 comprises a large central opening 112 of rectangular configuration to match with the rectangular finger tip opening 76 cut in the door. The cover plate 110 also comprises an upper vertical slot 113 and a lower circular opening 114. The upper vertical slot 113 aligns with the upper opening 81 in the door to`receive the padlock receiving loop 83, and the lower circular opening 114 aligns with the lower opening 82 in the door to receive the barrel portion 102 of the bolt type of lock 98. In addition, this cover plate 110 has apertures 115, 115 and 115" top, intermediate and bottom fastening bolts 95, 95 and 95".

The cover plate 110 is embossed with forwardly projecting ribs 116, 116 along its vertical side edges, and also with upper and lower transverse ribs 117 and 118 joining the side ribs 116, 116. The upper transverse rib 117 and the two side ribs 116, 116 formthree sides of an upper fiat pocket area 121. The rectangular slot 113 for projecting the padlock receiving loop 81 opens into this upper pocket area 121. The lower transverse rib 118 joins with the two side ribs 116, 116 in forming the three sides of a lower flat pocket area 123. The circular aperture 114 for receiving the lock barrel 102 opens into this lower pocket area 123. The top edge of the upper transverse rib 117 is formed with a downwardly opening slot 122 (Figure 5) and the top edge of the lower transverse rib 118`is formed witha similar downwardly opening slot 124. These two slots are adapted to receive selectively the tab 127 on the lower portion of the locker numbering plate 111, which I shall now describe.

`This locker number plate 111, shown in Figure 10, carries the locker number n, and may also be provided with indicia designatingthe name of the manufacturer,

' or the name of the school or establishment in which the lockers are installed. The upper edge of the number plate has an aperture 126 for receiving either the upper or intermediate bolt 95 or 95', and the lower edge has an extending tab 127 adapted to be inserted in either of the slots 122 or 124. When the locker door is ini tended to be locked with the`bolt type of lock 98, the locker number plate 111 is inserted inthe upper pocket area 121, with the upper bolt 95 passing through theI number plate aperture 126, and with the number plate tab 127 engaging in the upper slot 122. In this position of the number plate 111, it effectively blocks off the for receiving the.

6 slot 113 in the cover plate 110, so that the padlock receiving loop 83 is held in its retracted position in the housing 85, in which position the finger tip lifter 75 is still free to move the latching bar 55 upwardly for releasing the wire latches or keepers 65. Thus, in this position of the number plate 111, all locking of the locker door is effected by the flat key or bolt type of lock 98.

On the other hand, when the locker door is intended to be locked with a padlock 130, the locker number plate 111 is removed from the upper pocket area 121 and is inserted into the lower pocket area 123, with the intermediate bolt 95 passing through 'the aperture 126, and

with the tab 127 engaging in the lower slot 124. In this position of the number plate, the upper slot 113 in the cover plate 110 is opened so that the padlock receiving loop 83 can be projected out through this slot for receiving the padlock type of lock 130. In this latter situation, the bolt type of lock 98 is preferably removed, so that there will be no locking barrel .102 projecting through the circular opening 114 in the cover plate 110,

' and the number plate 111 can be inserted in the lower position on cover plate 110 to cover the circular opening 114. Alternatively, a construction of lock 98 maybe employed in which the lock barrel 102 has its outer end terminating substantially flush with the outer surface of the cover plate 110.

Referring now to the modified construction illustrated in Figures 14 to 18 inclusive, in this modified construe# tion the escutcheon plate means 109a is arranged to be' reversed end for end in converting the locking mech# anisrn from the padlock `type of lock to the bolt type of lock, and vice versa. This modified form of escutcheon plate means 109a comprises. a combination cover plate 110g and locker number plate 111a. The cover plate 110a comprises a large rectangular finger tip opening "112a in the center, a smaller rectangular opening 113a` at one end, and a circular opening 114a at the other end. The cover plate l10n may be secured by lbolts 95,

as previously described, but, as illustrative of a modi- A.tied arrangement I have shown this cover plate a as being provided with rearwardly projecting bolts 139, 139 for passing through upper and lower bolt holes 96, 96"V in the door, these bolts receiving nuts 142 on their inner ends.

The locker number plate 111a is a plain rectangular plate carrying the locker number n. This number plate 111a is adapted to be placed on the back side of that end of the cover plate l10n which is provided with the rectangular opening 113s, the locker number n ybeing exposed through this rectangular opening 113a. A pocket 144 is recessed or indented in the back side of the cover plate 110a for receiving the number plate 111a.

When the locking mechanism is intended to Ibe locked with a padlock, the cover plate 110:1 is so placed on the door that the end which carries the circular hole 114a is uppermost, as shown in Figure 14. The padlock loop 83 is then free to be projected out through this circular hole 114a. The number plate 111a is placed in back of the small rectangular opening 113:1, with the number indicia n in its proper erect position. The cover plate 110a is held fast in this position by drawing the nuts 142 up tight on the bolts 139.

When the locking mechanism is intended. to be locked with a bolt type of flat key lock 98a, the cover plate 110a is reversed end-for-end, so as to dispose the circular hole 114a at the lower end of the cover plate l10n in position to receive the cylindrical barrel 102a of the bolttype of lock. For this reversed position of the cover plate 110:1, the number plate 111a must be removed and reversed top and bottom so that the number indicia n will be in its proper erect position. In its position at the upper end of the cover plate 11011, the number plate 111a closes oli the slot 81 in the door so that the padlock receiving loop 83 is held in its retracted position in ,housing 85a. In

7. this embodiment,v the 4bolt type the aperturelin this-ear and fixedly secures, the. bolt type of lock and the lower end. of ther cover plate lllta to the door panel. In this embodiment, the housing 85a is held in place by the upper bolt 139 passing through an upper apertured attaching tiange 94a projecting from the upper edge of the housing. The lower edge of the housing has a lip 94 which is clamped under the bolt type of lock 98a when this latter type of lock is used.

While I have illustrated and described what I regard to be the preferred embodiments of my invention, nevertheless` it will be understood that such are merely exemplary and that numerous modifications` and rearrangements may be. made therein without departing from theV essence of theinvention.

I claim:

l. In a locker having an opening, a door closingV said opening, latch means carried by said door for latching it closed, a latch lbar carried by said door for releasing said latch means, handle means for actuating said latch bar, a padlock receiving loop adapted to lock said latch bar against latch releasing movement, a bolt type of lock adapted to lock said latch bar against latch releasing movement, said bolt type of lock having a key barrel, a cover plate mounted on said door in association with said handle means, said cover plate having two openings therein for receiving said padlockloop and for receiving said key barrel, and a locker number plate adapted for mountingon said cover plate in position to close one of said/openings.

2. In' a locker having an opening, a door closing said opening, latch means carried. by said door for latchingf it closed, a latchy bar carried by said door for releasing said latch: means a recess in said door, a finger tip lifter in said recess operatively connected with said latch. bar, a cover plate, a finger tip opening in said cover plate matchJ ing with said recess in the door, two holes in said cover plate spaced vertically from said inger tip opening, a padlock receiving loop connected with said linger tip lifter land .adapted to be projected outwardly through one of said holes for locking said lifter against latch releasing movement, a bolt type of lock adapted for locking saidr latch bar against latch releasing movement, said bolt type lock adapted to have key receiving access through the other of said holes, and a locker number plate adapted to be mounted on lsaid cover plate covering the appropriate' hole to prevent the outward projection ofy said padlock receiving loop when the Ibolt type of lock is employed for locking.

3. In a locker havingk an opening, a door ,closingA said opening, a latch means carried by said door for latching it closed, a latch bar carried by said door for releasing said latch means, a linger tip recess in said door, a finger tip lifter in said recess operatively connected with said latch, bar, a firsthole in said door spaced vertically in onedirection from saidv finger tip recess, apadlock receiving loop'` connected with said linger tip lifter and adapted tol beprojected outwardly through said first hole into padlock receiving position for locking said lifter against latch releasing movement, a second hole in said door spaced vertically in the other direction from said linger tip recess, a holt type of lock adapted for locking said latch bar against latch releasing movement, said bolt type of lock having a key receiving barrel adapted to extend through said second hole, a cover plate, a iiuger tip opening therein adapted to register with said linger tip recess in said door, holes in said. cover plate adapted to: register with saidiirst and second holes in said door, ,and a locker number plate carried by said cover plate and adapted to close .offl said rst .hole inthe ,door when the bolt type oflock isemployed, and adapted to close ofi'said second hole in the door when, the ypadlockis employed.V i

4. In a locker having an opening, a door closing said of lock 93a has only. one attaching ear 101a. .The lower boltv 139 passes throughy opening, latch means carried by said door for latching:

itY closed; a latch bar carried by said door for releasing said latch, means, a finger tip recess in said door, a finger tip lifter in said recess` operatively connected with saidl latch bar, a kiirst hole in said door above said finger tip recess, a: padlock receiving loop connected with said finger tip lifter and adapted to be projected outwardlyv through said first hole into padlock receivingvposition for Vlocking said lifter against latch releasing movement, a

second hole in saidV door below said linger tip recess, a bolt type of lock adapted for locking said latch bar againstl latchy releasing, movement, said bolt type of lock having a key receiving barrel adapted to extend through said second hole, a cover plate, a linger tip opening thereim adapted toregister with said iinger tip recess in said door,

an upper aperture in said cover plate adapted to register` withsaid first hole in the door, a lower aperture in 'said cover plate adapted to register with said second hole inthe door, and a locker number plate carried by said cover plate and adapted to close oil said upper aperture when the bolt type of lock is employed, and adapted to close off said lower aperture when the padlock is employed.

5. In a locker having an opening, a door closing said opening-latch means carried by said door for latching it closeda latch bar carried by said door for releasing said latchmeans, a linger tip recess in said door, a finger tip lifter in said recess operatively connected with said latchv 1bar a first hole in said door above said iinger tip recess,

a padlock receiving loop connected with said finger tip lifter and, adapted to be projected outwardly through said rst hole into padlock receiving position for locking vsaid lifter against latch releasing movement, a secondhole inll saiddoor below said finger tip recess, a bolt type of locky adapted for locking said latch bar against latch releasing movement, saidV bolt type of lock having alkey receiving barrel adapted to extend through said second hole, a cover plate, a linger tipopening therein adapted to register withv said finger tip recess in said door, an upper aperture ink said cover plate adapted to register with said first hole in. the door, an upper slot in said cover plate associated with said upper aperture, a lower aperture in said cover plate adapted to register with said second hole in the door, a- `lower slotv insaid cover plate associated with said lower aperture, and a locker number plate adapted to be-carried by said cover plate in an upper position closing off said upper aperture, or in a lower position closing off said lower aperture, said locker number plate having alprojecting lug receivable in said upper slot or in said lower slot whenin either of said positions.

6. In a locker having an opening, a door closing4 said opening, latch means carried by said door for latching'it closed, a latchbar carried by said door for releasing said latch. means, a finger tip recess in said door, a finger tip lifterinY said recess operatively connected with said latch bar, a rst hole in said door above said finger tip recess, v

a padlock receiving loop connected with said linger tip lifter and adapted to be projected outwardly through said lfirst hole into padlock receiving position for locking said lifter against latch releasing movement, a second hole in said door below said linger tip recess, a bolt type of lock employed.

adapted for locking said latch bar against` latch releasing movement, said bolt type of lock having a key receiving barrel adapted to extend through said second hole, a cover plate, a fingertip opening therein adapted to register with said finger tip recess in said door, apertures in saidv cover plateadapted to register with said rst and second holes in said door, and a locker number plate carried by said cover platein registration with one of said apertures, said" cover platev being invertible end-for-end for placing-,said locker'numbenplate over said first hole when the bolt type of lockv is'employed, and for placing said locker number'plate over said second hole when said ypadlock ris 7. In a locker having an opening, a door closing said opening, latch means carried by said door for latching it closed, a latch bar for controlling said latch means, a finger tip recess in said door, a pivot carried by said door in association with said recess, a finger tip lifter pivotally mounted in said recess on said pivot and operatively connected with said latch bar for lifting the latter, said lifter comprising an extending plate portion, a padlock receiving loop projecting from said plate portion, and an aperture in the door through which said loop is normally projected, said lifter having pivotal movement around said pivot under lifting pressure in a direction for retracting said loop out of said aperture.

8. In a locker having an opening, a door closing said opening, latch means carried by said door for latching it closed, a latch bar carried by said door for releasing said latch means, a padlock receiving loop adapted to lock said latch bar against latch releasing movement, handle means pivotally and slidably mounted on said door and operatively connected with said padlock receiving loop, said handle means being operative by pivotal movement thereof to rst exert a force on said loop in a retractive direction and being then operative by sliding movement thereof to impart sliding movement to said latch bar, a bolt type of lock adapted to lock said latch bar against latch releasing movement, said bolt type of lock having a key barrel, a cover plate mounted on said door in association with said handle means, said cover plate having two openings therein, one for receiving said padlock loop and one for receiving said key barrel, and a plate adapted for mounting on said cover plate in position to close one of said openings.

9. In a locker having an opening, a door closing said opening, latch means carried by said door for latchng it closed, a latch bar carried by said door for releasing said latch means, recessed handle means pivotally mounted on said latch bar for actuating said latch bar, a padlock receiving loop adapted to lock said latch bar against latch releasing movement,.a bolt type of lock adapted to lock said latch bar against latch releasing movement, said bolt type of lock having a key barrel, a cover plate mounted on said door in association with said handle means, said cover plate having two openings therein, one for receiving said padlock loop and one for receiving said key barrel, and a closure plate adapted for interchangeable mounting on said cover plate in position to close either one of said openings.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 706,904 Daniel s Aug. l2, 1902 742,782 Foster Oct. 27, 1903 1,105,963 Clem s- Aug. 4, 1914 1,923,903 Albach et al Aug. 22, 1933 2,131,642 Schaefer Sept. 27, 1938 2,242,958 OConnor May 20, 1941 2,304,144 Borchers Dec. 8, 1942 2,498,508 Rudolph Feb. 21, 1950 2,595,473 OConnor May 6, 1952 

